Closure cleaning device



Jan. 16, 1945. c, c, N

CLOSURE CLEANING DEVICE" Filed Dec. 30. 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 My J2 mJan. 16, 1945.

c.- GREEN CLOSURE CLEANING v DEVICE Filed Dec. 30. 1939' ,2 Sheets-Sheet2 g M wvbo'c Clarence 0 G'z-een lama Patented Jan. 16, 1945 UNITED'STATES PATENT ,OFFICE oLo SURE-[CLEANING DEVICE:

Clarence 0. Green, Lancaster, Pa., assignqr to Armstrong Cork Company,Lancaster, Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 30, 1939, Serial No.311,842

18 Claims. (Cl.2'2688.1)

This invention relates to closurecleaning devices and, moreparticularly; to a closure cleaning device for application to a cappingand bottling machine to remove dust and dirt .particles from theclosures, such as crown caps, be-

fore they are fed to the capping head of thecleaned at the place ofmanufacture, it will bethe capping, head along which ,the closures arefed usually by gravity, and a capping head which applies the closure toa bottleorother-receptacle.

, No provision is made for removing foreign matter from the closures; ifforeign matter,such' as dried particles of the liner binderor metalfins, if the closure be of metal, remain in the closure,

upon subsequent application of the closure to a Y I I receptacle, thepackaged product may be deleteriously affected. This is a problem ofconsiderable magnitude in the bottling industry. Foreign matter presentin the packaged product may not only discolor such product, but mayinv,iuriously afiect the consumer; obviously, the presence of-foreignmatter in packaged products deleteriously affectsconsumer acceptanceofthe packaged products. 1

The chief object ofthis invention is to provide a cleaning device forready-application to bottling and. capping mechanism which speedily,positively and efiiciently dislodges dust and dirt particles from theinterior and on the exterior of the closures and withdraws or removessuch particles from the vicinityof the closures. An object of thisinvention is to provide a closure cleaning device for application to aclosure feeding chute of bottling or capping apparatus which positivelyand quickly removes dust and dirt in the closures or loosely adheringthereto before such closures arexapplied to receptacles. A furtherobject is to provide'a closure cleaning device in which streams ofcompressed air are discharged through jets to. dislodge dust' and dirtparticles from closures and direct such particles in a suction zonesothat they can be removed from the vicinity of the closures. A stillfurther object is toprovide a closure cleaning device in which a suctionunit is provided to remove dust and dirt particles from the vicinity ofclosures in a closure feeding chute. A still further object is toprovide a closure cleaning device having a suction unit for removingdust and dirt particles from the vicinity of closures in a closurefeeding chute and in which means are provided to vary the effectiveforce of suction.

This invention relates to the combination with a capping and bottlingapparatus including a closure feeding chute for conducting closures froma hopper to a capping head, of means for creating a zone'of suctionwithin and adjacent to the'closure feeding chute, and means fordislodging dust and dirt particles from closures in the chute and.directing such particles into the suction Zone, said'means also servingto assist movement of the closures along thechute and. being effectivefor moving said closures through the suction zone and along the chute. Y

This invention further relates to a closure cleaning'device for.application to a closure feeding chute which comprises means forcreating a zone of suction within and adjacent to the closure feedingchute-and means for dislodging dust and dirt particles from closures inthe chute and directing the dislodged, particles within the'suction zonein order that they may be removed from the vicinity of the closureswithin the chute,

' said means serving to assist movement of the closures along the chuteand being effective for 7 Figure 1 is aplan view'of my closure cleaningdevice applied to a closure fee'ding chute;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure3 is a sectional view of a modification of the device shown in Figures 1and-2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a crown feeding chute 2adapted to feed closures -3, such as crown caps, from the hopper to thecapping head of a bottling and capping appa ratus. Preferably, the chute2 is rectangular in form and is curved as shown in Figure 2 to expediteaccurate and ready feeding of closures to the capping head. A pluralityof openings are provided on opposite sides of the chute 2, for apurposehereinafter explained. A suction unit is connected to the chute 2 bymeans of an adapter or casing 4; the suction unit being adapted tocreate a suction zone within the adapter 4 extending within the chute 2.Such unit may comprise a fan 5 mounted on the shaft of a motor 6 adaptedto create a partial vacuum within the adapter 4 and the chute 2 thuswithdrawinga stream .of .air from the chute 2 through the adapter :orcasing 4. A housing 1 encloses the fan 5 and leads to a receptacle 8 forstoring dust and dirt particles removed from the suction zone in thechute. effective suction force as desired,- a plurality of by-passes orports 9 are provided in the adapter 4 to permit ingress of air from "theexterior of the adapter. The ports 9 are adjustable and may be opened orclosed by means of the air'control caps ID to vary the effective suctionforce within the chute 2; it will be understood, of course, both ports 9may be opened or closed to .anydesired extent or either port .may beopened .or closed, as desired.

vA compressed .air jet .II is provided extending through the adapter orcasing 4 to the chute .2, .best illustrated in Figure 2. .The jet II iscon- :-nected 'toa cross tube 12 which .in turn leads to any-suitablesource .of compressed air. Preferably, a petcock L3 .mounted on an endof the .tube forming the ,jet -H .is provided to vary the .force of thestream of compressed air fed through .the jet .H. The jet H feeds astream of compressed air into the interior .of closures 3 in the .chute'2 thus dislodging dust and .dirt particles within the interior .of theclosures '3 and directingsuchdislodged particles within the suction zonecreated by :the suction unit to remove In order to vary the i them from.the vicinity of closures .in the chute.

The stream of compressed air .fed through the .jet .H likewise serves toforce closures 3 in the chute 2 through the suction .zone therein andassists .in their movement along the chute.

On the opposite side of the chute 2 from the .adapter 4, is illustrated.a member [4 through which streams .of compressed air may be fed to .theexteriors .of closures 3 in the chute. Pref- .erably, the member 14follows the curvature of the .chute .2 in order to permit secureengagement therewith. If desired, a gasket l5 of cork or rubbercomposition may be interposed between the member I4 and the chute 2 toprevent leak- .ageof compressed air jthere'between. The member .I4 isdrilled to provide conduits I6 leading to the chute .2 through whichstreams of compressed .air may pass t dislodge dust or dirt particles.on the exteriors of the closures 3 in the chute. suitable tubing vl'lto the .cross tube [2 which leads to a .suitable source of compressedair. .Preferably, petcocks I18 are provided'inthe tubing 11 to vary theforce of thestreams orf compressed air .fed through the conduits it.Such streams of compressed air dislodge and remove dust and dirt,particles adhering to or resting on the exteriors of closures 3 in thechute 2 and direct them within the suction zone created by the fan 5 .sothat they are removed from. the vicinity of the closures. .It will beappreciated use of "the .member 14 .is not essential to the satisfactoryoperation of my device although it is desirable. Dust or .dirt particlesadhere .to the exteriors of closures in the .chute and, while suchparticles .do not fall in the receptacles, they .may detract from theappearance :of the package; use of :the member l4 ensures removal ofsuch particles .thus assuring the attractive appearance of the completedpackage.

The conduits l6 are connected by z In operation, the suction unit isactuated and immediately creates a suction zone within the adapter 4extending within the chute 2. The lay-passes or ports 9 may be opened orclosed depending upon the force of suction required. Streams ofcompressed air are fed from the jet .II and the conduits I6 to theclosures 3 within the chute 2, the stream .from the jet l i being fed tothe interiors of the closures 3 while the streams from the conduits l6are fed to the exteriors of the closures 3; such streams dislodge dustand dirt particles resting in or adhering to the closures and direct thedislodged particles within the suction zonecreated by the fan 5 forremoval from the vicinity of closures in the chute. Preferably, thestream of compressed air from the jet .H exerts .a force on the closuresgreater than the suction force created by the cfan 5 so that it movesthe closures 3 through the suction zone and aids in moving the closuresalong the chute 12 to the capping head of the apparatus. The efiec'tiveforce of the .streams of compressed air fed through the jet H and theconduits 16 in the member l4 may be increased or decreased as desired bymeans of the petcocks I3 and 58. Likewise, as ointed out above, theeffective suction force created by the fan 5 may be varied by closingor' opening the ports 9 permitting ingress of air from the exterior ofthe device. It will be understood either or both ports 9 may be openedor closed individually or collectively depending upon the effectivesuction force required. Removed dust and dirt particles are carried fromthe suction zone through the adapter 4 and the housing I to the storagereceptacle 8.

In Figure 3, I have illustrated a modification of the cleaning deviceshown in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the cleaning device is soconstructed that the suction unit may be placed some distance away fromtheclosure feeding chute. This maybe desirable in some instances toassist in rapidand accurate cleaning of the bottling and cappingapparatus thus obviating any possibility of damage to the motor of thesuction unit by careless or inefficient cleaning of the apparatus I haveillustrated a closure feeding chute l9 leading from ahopper 20 to thecapping head shown in dotted outline in Figures 1 and 3 of a bottlingand capping apparatus. Closures 2i are fed along the chute I9 generallyby force of gravity. The chute I9 is generally similar to the chute 2illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. An adapter 22' ismounted on the chute l9adjacent the hopper 20 and is open to the hopper 29 as shown at 23 toreceive loose dust and dirt parti-cles falling therefrom. A suction unitis connected to the adapter 22 by a coupling 24 and serves to createa'suction zone within the adapter 22 extending within the chute I9. Thesuction unit comprises a fan 25 mounted on the shaft of a motor 26. Thefan 25 is enclosed in a housing 2"! which leads to a storage receptacle23. A suitable flexible hose 29 serves to connect the fan to the adapter22 by means of the coupling 2'3.

A compressed air jet 3!] is provided extending through theadapter 22 andis connected to any suitable source of compressed air. A petcock 3|serves to vary the effective force of compressed air ifed through thejet 30. The operation of the device is similarto that illustrated inFigures 1 and 2. That is, the fan 25 is actuated to create a suctionzone Within the adapter 22 extending within the chute IS. A stream ofcompressed air is fed through the jet 30 to the closures, preferably,the interiors thereof, and serves to dislodge dust or dirt particlesresting in ora'dhering to the closures and directs such dislodgedparticles within the suction zone for removal from the vicinity of theclosures.- The stream of compressed air also serves to move the closuresally speaking, the structure shown .in Figure 3 is not as satisfactoryas thatshown in Figures 1 and 2 but is particularly advantageous in useswhere it is desired to place the suction unit som distance away from themachine.

It will be appreciated my invention provides a cleaning device whichquickly, positively and efiiciently dislodges and removes dust and dirtparticles from closures before they are fed to a capping head. Asdiscussed above, presence of foreign matter in such closures maydeleteriously affect-the packaged product and, hence, it is es sentialthat such foreign matter be removed be fore the receptacle is sealed bymeans of a closure. My invention provides positive means for dislodgingand removing dust and dirt particles from the vicinity of closures in'the closure feeding .chute, thus preventing such matter falling intothe packaged product and contaminating the same. The device may bereadily applied to bottling and capping mechanism and may be removedwhen it is desired to clean the mechanism thus obviating any possibilityof injury to the mechanism.. I

While I have described and illustrated preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be understood my invention is not so limited since itmaybe otherwise embodied within thescope of the following claims. v

I claim:

1. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from ahopper to a capping head, a jetthrough which a stream of compressed air may be fed to dislodge dust ordirt particles from the interiors of the closures as they passalong thechute, a backing member mounted adjacent said chute having conduitsextending therethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid 1member corresponding to the through said conduits to dislodge dust ordirt particles adhering to the exterior surfacesof closures in thechute, and means for withdrawing dislodged particles from the vicinityof closures in the chute.

. 2. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, a jetthrough which a stream of compressed airmay be' fed to dislodge dustordirt particles from the interiors of closures as they pass along thechute, means for varying the effective force of said stream, a backingmember mounted on said chute having conduits extending therethroughleading to the chute, means for feeding. a stream of compressed. airthrough said conduits to the chute to dislodge dust or dirt particlescollected on the exterior of closures in the chute, an adapter mountedon said chute, and a suction unitconnected to said adapter serving tocreate a suc-v tion zone therein extending within the chute, the streamof compressed air fed through said jet directing dislodged dirtparticles into said suction zone and being efiective for moving closurestherethrough, said adapter having adjustable ports serving to vary theeffective suction force created by said suction unit, said suction unitincluding a fan adapted to withdraw a stream of air from the suctionzone carrying with it dislodged dust and dirt particles, and means toactuate said fan.

3. In combination with a cappingapparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, a jetthrough which a stream of compressed air may be fedto dislodge dust ordirt particles from the interiorsof closures as they pass along thechute, said stream assisting in the movement ofclosures along the chute,means for varying the force of said stream, a backing member mounted onsaid chute having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute,means for feeding a stream of compressed air through said conduits tothe chute to dislodge dust or dirt particles collected on the'exteriorof closures in the chute, an adapter mounted on said chute havingadjustable ports therein, a fan adapted to withdraw a stream of air fromthe chute throughthe adapter carrying with it dislodged dust and dirtparticles, a receptacle for withdrawn dust particles, a housingenclosing said fan and connected to said receptacle, ,and means foractuating said fan.

4. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, anadapter mounted on said chute and open tosaid hopper, said adapterserving to retain dust and dirt particles falling from the hopper, a jetextending through said adapter, saidjet permitting a stream ofcompressed air to be fed therethrough to the chute to dislodge dust ordirt particles carried by closures in the chute, means for vary-.

ing the pressure of the stream of compressed air, a fan adapted towithdraw dust particles from the chute through the adapter, means toactuate said fan, a flexible hose connecting said fan and the adapter, ahousingenclosing said fan, and a receptacle for withdrawn dust particlesconnected to said fan'housing. I

5. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feedingchute, the combination of a jet through which a stream of compressed airmay be fed to dislodge dust or dirt particles from the interiors ofclosures as they pass along the chute, a member adapted to be mounted onthe chute and having conduits extending therethrough leading to thechute, means for feeding fluid through said conduits to dislodge dust ordirt particles adhering to the exterior surfaces of closures in thechute, and means'for withdrawing dislodged particles from the vicinityof closures in the chute. 1

6. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feedingchute, the combination of a compressed air jet through which a stream ofcompressed air may be fed to dislodge dust or dirt particles from theinterior of closures as they pass along the chute, means for varying theeffective forceof said stream, a member adapted to be mounted'on thechute having conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, meansfor feeding a stream of compressed air through said conduits to thechute'to dislodgedust or. dirt particles collected on the exteriorof010- sures in the chute, an adapted mounted on the chute havingadjustable ports therein, a fan adapted to withdraw a stream of air fromthe v chute through the adapter carrying'with it dislodged'dust and dirtparticles,'means to actuate said fan, a receptacle for withdrawn dustparticles, and a housing enclosing said fan and connected to saidreceptacle.

'7. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, means fordislodging dust or dirt particles from the interiors of the closures asthey pass along the chute, a backing member mounted adjacent the chutehaving conduit extending therethrough leading to the chute, means forfeeding fluid through the conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particlesadhering to the exterior surfaces of closures in the chute, and meansfor withdrawing dislodged particles from the Vicinity of closures in thechute.

8. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feedingchute, the combination of means for dislodging dust or dirt particlesfrom the interiors of closures as they pass along the chute, a memberadapted to be mountedon the chute and having conduits extendingtherethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid through saidconduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles adhering to the exteriorsurfaces of closures in the chute, and means for withdrawing dislodgedparticles from the vicinity of closures in the chute.

9. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure fee-dingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, anadapter mounted on said chute, a jet extending through said adapter,said jet permitting a stream of compressed air to be fed therethrough tothe chute to dislodge dust or dirt particles carried by closures in thechute, a fan adapted to withdraw dust particles fro-m the chute throughthe adapter, means to actuate said fan, a flexible hose connecting saidfan and the adapter, a housing enclosing said fan, and a receptacle forwithdrawn dust particles connected to said fan housing.

10. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, means fordislodging dust or dirt particles from the interiors of closures as theypass along the chute, a backing member mounted adjacent said chutehaving conduits extending therethrough leading to the chute, means forfeeding fluid through said conduits to dislodge dust or dirt particlesfrom the exterior surfaces of closures in the chute, and means forwithdrawing dislodged dust particles from the vicinity of closures inthe chute, said dislodging means urging movement of closures along thechute against the resistance of the Withdrawal means.

11. In a closure cleaning device for application to a closure feedingchute, the combination of means for dislodging dust or dirt particlesfrom the interiors of closures as they pass along the chute, a memberadapted to be mounted on the chute and having conduits extendingtherethrough leading to the chute, means for feeding fluid through saidconduits to dislodge dust or dirt particles adhering to the exteriorsurfaces of closures in the chute, and means for withdrawing dislodgedparticles from the vicinity of closures in the chute.

12. In combination with a capping machine having a hopper and a cappinghead, a chute for feeding the caps from the hopper to the capping head,a casing communicating with the chute, means for creating a suction inthe casing for removing dust from the chute into the casing, andpneumatic means extending into said casing and having a nozzlepositioned adjacent the chute for directing a blast of air against thecaps as they pass the communicating means to accelerate the movement ofthe caps through the chute, said air blast nozzle acting to dislodgedust adhering to the caps to facilitate its removal from the chute bythe suction in the casing.

13. In combination with a capping machine having a hopper and a cappinghead, a chute for feeding crowns from the hopper to the capping head,said chute having a curved portion adjacent the capping head, a casingconnected to said curved portion, said casing having an openingcommunicating the interior of the chute therewith, means 'for creating asuction in the casing for removing dust from the chute through saidopening into the casing, and pneumatic means extending into said casingand having a nozzle positioned adjacent said opening for directing ablast of air against the crowns asthey pass the communicating means toaccelerate the movement of the crowns through the chute, said air blastnozzle also acting to dislodge dust adhering to the crowns to facilitateits removal from the chute by the suction in the casing.

I l. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, anadapter communicating with said chute, means for creating suction in theadapter for removing dust from the chute into the adapter, and pneu- Vmatic means extending into the adapter and having a jet disposedadjacent the chute for directing a blast of air against the closures asthey pass the communicating means to accelerate movement of the closuresthrough the chute, said jet acting to dislodge dust adhering to theclosures to facilitate its removal from the chute by the suction in theadapter, said adapter having an adjustable port serving to vary theeifective suction force created by said suction means, said suctionmeans including a fan, a motor adapted to actuate said fan, and astorage receptacle for withdrawn dust.

15. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a cappinghead, an adaptercommunicating with said chute, a suction unit for creating suction inthe adapter for removing dust from the chute into the adapter, a jetextending into the adapter and disposed adjacent the chute for directinga blast of air against the closures as they pass the communicating meansto accelerate movement of the closures through the chute, said jetacting to dislodge dust adhering to the closures to facilitate itsremoval from the chute by the suction in the adapter, the suction unitincluding a fan, a receptacle for withdrawn dust, a housing enclosingsaid fan and connected to said receptacle, and means to actuate saidfan.

16. In combination with a capping apparatus including a closure feedingchute for conducting closures from a hopper to a capping head, anadapter open to the hopper and communicating with the chute, saidadapter serving to retain dust and dirt particles falling from thehopper, means for creating suction in the adapter for removing dust fromthe chute into the'adapter, and pneumatic means extending into theadapter and having a jet disposed adjacent the chute for directing ablast of air against the closures as they pass communicating means toaccelerate movement of the closures through the chute, said jet actingto dislodge dust adhering to the closures to facilitate its removal fromthe chute by the suction in the adapter.

17. In'a closure'cleaning device for application v to a closure feedingchute, the combination of a casing adapted to be connected to saidchute,

means for creating suction in the casing for removing dust from thechute into the casing, and pneumatic means extending into the casing andhaving a jet adapted to be disposed adjacent the.

chute for directing'a blast of air against the closures as they passthe-casing. to accelerate move- .ment of the closures through the chute,said jet acting to dislodge dust adhering to the closures to. facilitateits removal from the chutebythe suction in the casing.

'18. In aclosure cleaning device for application casing adapted tobe'connected to said chute, means for creating suction inthe casing forremoving dust from the chute into the casing, said casing haveadjustable ports therein serving to I vary the effective suction forcecreated by the suction means, and pneumatic means extending into thecasing and having a jet adapted to be disposed adjacent the chute fordirectin a blast of air against the closures as they pass the casing toaccelerate movement of the closures through the chute-against theresis'tance of the suction means, said jet acting to dislodgedustadhering tothe closures to facilitate its removal from the chute by thesuction in the casing. 1 j

- CLARENCE Q'GREEN;

to a closure feeding chute, the combination of a i

